Located at the
junction of Highways 160 and 281, and joined by the scenic Gyp Hills on
the West, Medicine Lodge is not only a historic community, but is also
family and business oriented. The county seat of Barber County, its
quality educators, fine churches, recreational programs, business
friendly atmosphere, and low crime rate combine to make it a community
you will want to become a part of. For more information, please call
(620) 886 3908 or FAX (620) 886-3900 email: cityclerk@cyberlodg.com

What now comprises the
center of the business district of Medicine Lodge, was
once a protected area surrounded
by a stockade, to keep the little populace and their guarding militia
sage from Indian raids

In 1874, during a period of Indian outbreaks in western and southern
Kansas, Thomas A. Osborne, then governor of Kansas, organized the Kansas
State Guards. Sun City and Medicine Lodge furnished the two companies
for this section of the state.

A Captain Ricker
commanded the Barber County organization, and John Mosely was second in
command. It was the duty of the Medicine Lodge and Sun City militia to
guard and keep the territory from Caldwell to Dodge City, and south to
the Cimarron river, clear of marauding bands of Indians.

The stockade in
Medicine Lodge was built by the militia and citizens, and guards were
placed.
According to old timers, the west line of the stockade ran along what is
now the alley west of Main Street where The Peoples Bank stands; the
south line about where the Grand Hotel is now; the east line near the
west side of the courthouse and the north line about where the
Presbyterian Church and Intermediate School are now. The walls of the
stockade were cedar posts about nine feet high, set on end in the
ground, side by side. Gates were maintained at the north and south.

Many times, 200
persons would gather in the stockade with the wagon teams, cows and
dogs. Rations were issued each day. Corn was ground on a coffee grinder
for bread, and buffalo meat was used.

The meat wagon stood
just north of what is now the Trice building, and everyone helped
himself to meat. When the wagon was empty, two men were detailed to get
more.

In the stockade, time
often dragged for the men. The saloon had gone dry, but there were
cards, and most of the men played all the time they were not dancing.
Dancing took place in the cool mornings and evenings, and many tripped
the light, fantastic in their bare feet.

The drill ground was
outside and southeast of the stockade. A man was kept on guard on top of
the stage barn. When ordered, every man had to run to the place he had
been assigned to guard, when a gun was fired. Target practice was held
quite often.

The young men who had
no families were kept scouting a good deal of the time. There were over
100 miles of the state line to guard, and there were no roads.

The outfit and rations
of a scout consisted of rifle, carbine, 100 cartridges tied on the
saddle and in the belt. A grain sack with five days rations, including
army crackers, bacon, sugar and coffee was tied on the saddle with
frying pan and coffee bucket. The rations became pretty stale toward the
end of the trip.
The militia had but one encounter with the Indians northwest of Sharon,
at the foot of the big hills. There were about 50 Indians, and six were
killed. Fifty-four ponies, six mules and all the Indians’ camp outfit,
saddles, guns, bows, arrows and clothes were taken.

On June 17, 1874, the
Osage Indians made a raid on Kansas and killed John Martin and Elijah
Kennedy, two and one-half miles southwest of Medicine Lodge. Issac Kein
was killed on Cedar creek, three and one-half miles west of town.

The Peoples Bank
has erected a monumental replica fence in remembrance of the original
Stockade. It is located in the Washington Street exit of the bank.